| Revision as of 20:09, 19 February 2009 view source66.74.82.49 (talk) →Media Coverage← Previous edit | Revision as of 20:12, 19 February 2009 view source 66.74.82.49 (talk) →See alsoNext edit → | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
| ===See also=== | ===See also=== | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| * | * | ||
| *] | |||
| ] | |||
| ===References=== | ===References=== | ||
Revision as of 20:12, 19 February 2009
Utah Boys Ranch, now known as West Ridge Academy, is a Mormon reeducation camp for children.
History
The Utah Boys Ranch was founded by the prominent Mormon Lowell L Bennion in 1967, although it is unclear how long he actually maintained a leadership position.
Eventually ownership changed hands, and Utah Senator Chris Buttars became the executive director, and remained so for fifteen years before retiring in the face of some IRS problems
Abuse
Buttars and the Utah Boys Ranch leadership have recently come under fire with claims of abuseand complaintsthat staff use Mormon indoctrination in place of legitimate therapy. Numbers of former residents have posted testimonials alleging rampant physical and sexual abuse, negligence, cover-ups, lack of any government oversight, severe human rights violations, and other corruption and forms of inhumane handling of youth
Media Coverage
On January 2, 2009, an article from a former Boys Ranch resident - written by writer and journalist Eric Norwood - was published detailing some of the abuses and controversial practices of the Utah Boys Ranch. The article erupted on the Internet; instantly drawing the attention of thousands of readers as it was reprinted and discussed at length on hundreds of blogs, message boards, and news websites.
On January 9, 2009 the Salt Lake City radio station KRCL invited West Ridge Academy staff, Former Executive Director and State Senator Chris Buttars, and author Eric Norwood of the facility on their talk show RadioActive!
Activism
A websiteand charitable organization have recently surfaced to expose the Utah Boys Ranch and offer support to former victims.
See also
- World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools
- Tranquility Bay
- Child labor
- Chris Buttars
- Mormon Gulag & Utah Boys Ranch Network
- CAFETY
References
- - Buttars Booted From Boys Ranch
- - Teen Recounts Physical and Sexual Abuses at Mormon West Ridge Academy
- The Mormon Connection
- Testimonials From Former Victims
- Trapped In A Mormon Gulag
- KRCL Discusses Mormon Gulag
- Mormon Gulag
- U.B.R.N